Catholic Cemeteries of Halifax

New Book! Gone But Not Forgotten

In honour of the 100^th anniversary of the Halifax Explosion, has published, Gone But Not Forgotten: Victims of the Halifax Explosion in Catholic Cemeteries. The book details the stories of Explosion victims buried in Holy Cross Cemetery on South Park St. in downtown Halifax and Mount Olivet Cemetery on Mumford Rd. in west end Halifax.

The book aims to remember and recognize the many Catholics that perished in the Explosion. It lists over 200 names of Explosion victims, snippets about their lives, and where they are buried. For example, William Thomas Broderick is buried in Holy Cross. Broderick was the captain of the Patricia which at the time was the new fire engine of the Halifax Fire Department. He and his team were among the first responders to the fire in the harbour on that tragic day. Vincent Coleman is buried in Mount Olivet. People know Coleman as the train dispatcher who stopped an oncoming train from arriving in Halifax minutes before the explosion. He saved a train full of passengers but lost his life in the blast.

Along with the release of Gone But Not Forgotten, free one hour guided tours of Holy Cross and Mount Olivet are being offered. Tour guides will share the cemetery’s history and help visitors locate victims of the Explosion as well as other notable graves. The tours take place Monday to Friday at 11:00am and 2:00pm.

The book was a project of the Catholic Cemeteries of Halifax, a department of the Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth. Copies of Gone But Not Forgotten sell for $25.00 and are available for purchase at both cemeteries and at the Catholic Pastoral Centre, 1531 Grafton St.

Catholic Cemeteries of Halifax Contact

Christine Spears
Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth
(902) 429-9800 Ext. 308

Daniel MacDonald
Cemetery Services Coordinator
Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth
(902) 429-9800 Ext. 319

Bradley VanDam
Manager, Catholic Cemeteries
Archdiocese of Halifax-Yarmouth
(902) 429-9800 Ext. 311
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Archdiocesan Funeral Guidelines

Archbishop Mancini in collaboration with the clergy, religious and lay faithful of our Church of IMG 2500 web Halifax-Yarmouth prepared the document on Catholic funerals in the Archdiocese of Halifax Yarmouth. The document is titled "Catholic Funerals: Theological and Pastoral Considerations".

The document touches on the frequent experience in our faith communities that funerals draw people with diverse connections to the Catholic faith or faith in general. Liturgical options, specifically the separation of the Funeral Rite (Order of Christian Funerals) and the celebration of the Eucharist, can facilitate a fuller involvement of mourners at Catholic funerals. As well new opportunities are presented to evangelize and catechized a Christian understanding of life, death and resurrection. For the faithful the opportunity to celebrate Eucharist at a memorial Mass within a short time of the funeral liturgy can be much more meaningful experience of communion.

This guidelines addresses issues like eulogies, use of Christian symbols at funerals, cremation, and the celebration of the funeral rite at funeral parlors as well as other points to assist parish personnel in the ministry to those who are grieving.

download: English (pdf) French (pdf)